Chapter 27 - OFFICE OF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Sec. 26.205. - Office of Equal Business Opportunity - Business Compliance. Chapter 28 - PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Chapter 27 - OFFICE OF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PART 1. - OFFICE ESTABLISHED

Sec. 27.101. - Establishment; functions.

There is created an executive office to be known as the Office of Sports and Entertainment. The Office shall be responsible for sports and entertainment activities within the City including:

(a)

Overseeing and managing sports and entertainment interactions with the City of Jacksonville;

(b)

Identifying sports and entertainment opportunities, benchmarking and assessment of opportunities, ensuring the development of a program design, relationship management, identification of funding mechanisms to support the events, and the tracking of value created through sports and entertainment opportunities;

(c)

Overseeing the Sports and Entertainment Trust Fund, pursuant to Section 111.155 of the Code;

(d)

Operating the Office of Special Events; and

(e)

Acting as a liaison to sports and entertainment entities and organizations regarding sports and entertainment activities within the City.

(Ord. 2024-175-E, § 8)

Sec. 27.102. - Sports and Entertainment Officer.

The Sports and Entertainment Officer is the head of the Office. The Sports and Entertainment Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Sports and Entertainment Officer shall have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and at least five years of progressively responsible executive-level experience in the areas of sports and/or entertainment or other commensurate training and experience.

(Ord. 2024-175-E, § 8)

Sec. 27.103. - Powers of the Sports and Entertainment Officer.

The Sports and Entertainment Officer shall have the following powers, functions and duties with respect to the City-owned facilities including but not limited to the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the Football Stadium, Amphitheater, Covered Flex Field, The Ritz Theatre, the Convention Center, the Performing Arts Center, and any other facility assigned to the Director (collectively hereinafter referred to as the "facilities" or the "facility"):

(a)

The Office of Sports and Entertainment shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facilities (whether directly or through a facility manager retained in accordance with the requirements and limitations of Chapter 126), and the Chief Administrative Officer, may, in conjunction with the facilities manager when appropriate, execute fixed dollar amount promotional and/or sponsorship contracts and agreements with sponsors, promoters, exhibitors, performers and other persons for the use of the facility, including agreements with renters of the facility to staff and maintain restroom facilities at the facility through contractual services, volunteers or through a nominal gratuity system, approved by the officer. A nominal gratuity system would allow the City to include parking and/or meals complimentary to the volunteers, pursuant to a budget previously approved by Council. Except for revenue producing events approved by contract, all other use of the facilities shall be reserved to the City.

(b)

The Sports and Entertainment Officer shall participate in and make recommendations to the Mayor and the Council concerning the planning and financing of City sponsored events at the facilities.

(c)

The Sports and Entertainment Officer shall authorize the expenditure of funds lawfully appropriated by the Council for hospitality expenses in the interest of promoting the facility for City-sponsored events and shall comply with expenditures on food, pursuant to Section 106.1202 of the Code.

(Ord. 2024-175-E, § 8)

Sec. 27.104. - Special Events.

The function of the Office of the Special Events is housed within the Office of Sports and Entertainment.

(a)

The Office of Sports and Entertainment shall be responsible for the coordination, planning, and implementation of all Special Events conducted by the City, and implement the provisions of Chapter 191 (Special Events) of the Code.

(b)

The Office of Sports and Entertainment no later than 60 days after the last day of an event, shall deliver to the Director of Finance and the Council Auditor a complete accounting of revenues by source, and expenditures by category and source including, but not limited to, General Fund, Trust Fund, and any other funds.

(c)

There is established a liaison relationship between the Special Events activity with the Downtown Investment Authority Chief Executive Officer, the Director of the Public Works Department, and the Director of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (collectively, the "City Representatives"). Upon request, but at least quarterly, Special Events shall provide the City Representatives information regarding special event permits Downtown.

(Ord. 2024-175-E, § 8)

Sec. 26.205. - Office of Equal Business Opportunity - Business Compliance. Chapter 28 - PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES